Systems & Secrets

Systems & Secrets is a roleplaying game (RPG) setting created by author Tom Brown. Its rules are based on the d20 system.

Setting
In the almost two centuries since the successful development and testing of the FTL drive, humanity has gone on to discover, survey, and establish colonies in over 500 star systems. This expanse is commonly referred to as Occupied Space. It is a complex web of politics, commerce, and intrigue which links these systems and the powers that control them together. Within this interconnected interstellar society, every imaginable opportunity exists for those with the drive and ambition to pursue them. It is into this setting that you, the enterprising spacer, will enter. You may be an agent of one of the major powers, an independent, or possibly even an operative of the criminal underworld.

The paths you choose, and the decisions you make, are entirely up to you. But bear in mind, always, that the consequences of your actions may have repercussions far beyond that of your own interests and immediate concerns. Sometimes, even the smallest choice can have the greatest effect. But even still, this is part of the uncertainty and challenge of life in Occupied Space!

Politics
There are three major factions within Occupied Space. Each has its own system of governance, its own social structure, and its own framework for commerce, military affairs, and other concerns.

Interstellar Directorate
The preeminent power in Occupied Space, it is commonly referred to simply as "the Directorate". It controls the largest portion of the established colonies, and remains the most active in terms of exploring and colonising new systems.

The government of the Directorate is a representative democracy. At its pinnacle is a five-person collective executive known as the Presidium. The legislature is known as the General Assembly, and is responsible for proposing, debating, and passing all laws. Each member colony sends a single representative to the Assembly in elections that take place every ten years. The Central Court of Justice, which sits at the top of the Directorate judicial system, serves as the court of final review.

The military arm of the Directorate is known as the Combined Defence Force. The CDF is divided between two branches - the Fleet, responsible for naval operations, and the Marines, responsible for ground operations. The Marines are a specialized branch of the Fleet. At present, the CDF consists of twelve fleets, each made up of numerous flotillas consisting of one cruiser, between four and six frigates, and up to a dozen corvettes. Each colony is defended by a small local garrison of Marines and between two and ten squadrons of fast attack craft.

Incorporated Systems
The smallest of the major powers in Occupied Space, the Incorporated Systems are nevertheless a hub of commercial and financial activity and influence. It likewise operates a vigorous programme of exploration and planetary survey, always on the lookout for new, viable worlds to develop. The Systems are sometimes referred to as the "Corporation Worlds".

The government of the Systems is a corporatocracy. Its territory consists of a cluster of star systems, with the rights to each individual system, and all resources within, held by one of five macrocorporations - Almid, Gorunna, Lexer, MXC, and Versicorps. Negotiations regularly take place between the five macrocorps for one to access resources and equipment in systems by the others. The central authority of the Systems is the Corporate Board, which consists of one representative from each of the macrocorporations. While each of the macrocorps maintains its own regulations within its systems, the Board sets a general code which likewise binds each of them under a standardised policy for purposes of dealing with the other powers.

Unaffiliated Worlds
The second-largest of the major powers, the Unaffiliated Worlds are a collection of star systems, each with its own government, culture, and interests independent from the Interstellar Directorate or the Incorporated Systems. They have banded together in a loose confederation for the purpose of mutual military support, diplomacy and trade. The territory is commonly referred to as "the Worlds" or "the UW".

The systems of the Worlds have a wide and varied mix of political systems, ranging from representative democracies to constitutional monarchies to authoritarian autocracies. Each of them maintains their own modest defence forces, enact their own policies on commerce and other concerns, and operate their own efforts within the interstellar economy. Despite their loose affiliation, it is not uncommon for systems of the UW to spy on, or even actively work against, one another. Many believe the Worlds would be a much more formidable presence within Occupied Space were it not for the constant internal disputes and opportunistic subterfuge that takes place.

Every standard year for fourteen standard days, the Worlds send representatives to Enmerkar, the neutral "capital" world of the territory. Here, the member systems of the UW alliance discuss upcoming initiatives between themselves and consider unified policies with regard to their relations with the Directorate and the Incorporated Systems.

Directorate

 * Adeleke, Lam -
 * Amodeo, Victor -
 * Belgrave, Andrew - Captain, Combined Defence Force. Commanding Officer, DNS Allegiance.
 * Belgrave, Leonard -
 * Benham, Phyllis -
 * Brand, Victoria -
 * Grossman, Efram -
 * Hironaka, Tamayo -
 * Hoffman, Patricia -
 * Li, Chang -
 * Matajiro, Kantaro -
 * Menendez, Arturo -
 * Patel, Niraj -
 * Shimada, Nanako -
 * Teller, Patrick -
 * Vanderpool, Julius -
 * Wong Ho Siang - Admiral of the Fleet, Combined Defence Force. Chief of the Defence Staff.

Capital

 * Cruisers

Sub-Capital

 * Frigates
 * Corvettes

Support

 * Depot Ships
 * Freighters
 * Medical Ships
 * Cruisers

Light

 * Fast Attack Craft
 * Shuttles

Agent

 * type - Damage, Support
 * weapons used -

Bounty Hunter

 * type - Tank, Damage
 * weapons used -

Engineer

 * type - Damage, Support
 * weapons used -

Medtech

 * type - Healer, Support
 * weapons used -

Scout

 * type - Damage, Support
 * weapons used -

Sharpshooter

 * type - Damage
 * weapons used -

Trooper

 * type - Tank, Damage
 * weapons used -

Attributes & Skills

 * Melee
 * 1-Handed Melee
 * 2-Handed Melee
 * Ranged
 * Handguns
 * Long Guns
 * Heavy Weapons
 * Defence
 * Block
 * Dodge
 * Dialogue
 * Persuade
 * Lie
 * Intimidate
 * Stealth
 * Sneak
 * Hack
 * Lockpick
 * Tech
 * Medical
 * Science
 * Engineering
 * Leadership
 * Inspiration
 * Determination

Weapon Types

 * Handguns
 * Assault Rifles
 * Sniper Rifles
 * Repeater Rifles
 * Grenade Rifles
 * Electro-Weapons
 * Grenades